Anquan Boldin: I'll retire if released

Baltimore Ravens star wide receiver Anquan Boldin indicated on Friday that he will retire if the team cuts him this offseason.

NBC Sports Network's Eric Kuselias Sr. broke the news on Twitter: 

Boldin has one year remaining on his current four-year, $25 million contract (h/tspotrac.com). After failing to crack the 1,000-yard plateau in his third straight year with the Ravens, the three-time Pro Bowler came on strong in the postseason.

In the Ravens' run to Super Bowl XLVII victory, Boldin snagged 22 passes for 380 yards in four games.  His four postseason touchdowns—which included the first one in the big game—matched his total for the entire regular season.

However, despite his prowess on pro football's biggest stage, Boldin may be on the way out.

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Baltimore has $15.7 million in cap space, according to ESPN's John Clayton, but the team has several needs to address. Super Bowl MVP Joe Flacco is negotiating a long-term contract and should be among the highest-paid signal-callers in the NFL after his own remarkable playoff stretch.

The defense has several key players who will also demand paydays, with Paul Kruger, Dannell Ellerbe and Ed Reed set to hit free agency.

The emergence of speedy WR Torrey Smith and Super Bowl hero Jacoby Jones also hurts Boldin's cause to remain a Raven, as does the likely re-signing of young, dynamic TE Dennis Pitta.

The free-agent market would likely be kind to Boldin after his recent dominant play, but the 32-year-old seems set on remaining with his current team or hanging up the cleats.

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